MA Data Visualisation

MA Data Visualisation at London College of Communication is a practice-led course where students research, interpret, critique and visualise data using a range of media, tools and techniques.

Reasons to Apply

Work within a diverse cohort and collaborate with other courses within LCC's Design School, with links to the Media School and Screen School, to develop your own creative practice and a portfolio of data visualisation work.

Industry links with leading practitioners such as Duncan Swain – LCC's Visiting Fellow in Data Visualisation and Co-Founder of Beyond Words Studio – will give you the opportunity to engage with the tools and working methods used in professional practice.

Initiating and delivering your own research-led body of enquiry in the field of data visualisation – engaging with the social and ethical implications of this practice – will support you developing your own highly informed critical position.

Practical and technical workshops, seminars, lectures, collaborative projects and individual briefs will equip you with the experience and understanding to operate in the new and evolving field of data visualisation.

Open Evenings

The next Open Evening for this course will be announced soon.

Content

MA Data Visualisation is driven by the intelligent interrogation of data and intensive practice-led research. In a data-driven society, it is increasingly important for businesses, policymakers, governments and NGO’s to communicate data coherently using diverse visualisation tools and techniques.

You will develop the ability to translate data into creative narratives that a wide variety of audiences can understand using the most appropriate form of communication design for each project, including print, physical objects, environmental design or a screen based interaction.

What can you expect?

You'll be supported in developing an independent and critical view, producing visual narratives to bring about positive change, taking a collaborative and cross-disciplinary approach across sectors including science, health, education and underrepresented social groups through the use of data.

You'll gain an in-depth understanding of information design within the context of communication design, acquiring a range of digital and analogue skills, underpinned by a historical, theoretical and critical framework.

The course recognises the social, cultural and ethical dimensions of data visualisation practices and will support you in developing a highly informed understanding of the role and implications of an editorial voice.

You'll produce work through a research-led body of enquiry that explores the power, potential, social and cultural impacts of data visualisation.

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Course start date

September 2018

Course units

MA Data Visualisation is delivered across four terms, starting in September and finishing in December the year after. Incorporating a summer break, this is a one-year full-time course (45 taught weeks), delivered over 15 months.

Unit 1

Data visualisation research and practices

Through the engaging with key texts, projects and practioners in a series of lectures and seminars you will develop the knowledge and understanding to situate your data visualisation practice within the broader discipline, with reference to related fields such as data science and graphic design.

Unit 2

Visualisation tools, datasets and data stories

Through a series of workshops in fundamental design principals such as typography, visual language and colour you will develop your information design practice. In parallel technical workshops will allow you to explore and experiment with tools and software from processing to prototyping. Working with large data sets you’ll develop your understanding of the practice of visualisation as a means of both exploring and explaining with data. Collaborative projects developed with industry-based practioners will support you producing a variety of experimental and finished outcomes.

Unit 3

In the collaborative unit you will work with fellow students and/or external partners and practioners to collaboratively produce a project outcome. This unit is designed to enable you to identify, form and develop collaborative working relationships with a range of potential partners in the field of data visualisation.

The major project

In the first and second terms a series of workshops, seminars and tutorials will support you developing a major project proposal. Engaging with the social and ethical dimensions of data visualisation practice you'll produce a final major project and a critical visual report that will give you the opportunity to engage in a major research-led project. Here the emphasis will be on defining, analysing and developing an individual and focused approach to a data visualisation related problem, subject, question or issue.

How to apply

We ask all applicants to complete an online application and upload additional digital items, via the Apply now link. Before you apply, we recommend you take some time to read the course Entry Requirements section below to learn about the application process and additional items you would need to supply.

All applications will be considered by the course team who will consider key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course:

First, they will look at your qualifications and transcript (or projected results)

Secondly, they will review your personal statement and portfolio

There is no requirement for an academic or professional reference.

REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR ALL POSTGRADUATE COURSE APPLICATIONS

You will need to enter the following information in the online application:

Before submitting your application, you will need to agree to the terms and conditions for how we process your data – these are explained in the application form. Once you have submitted the online application, we will send you a confirmation email.

Please note, if you’re an international applicant we will ask you for copies of certain documents (for example, English language qualification/certificate and copies of any previous UK study visas).

EXTRA INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR APPLICATIONS TO THIS COURSE

You will be asked to supply:

Portfolio

After you have submitted your application, the course leader will then review your work, may invite you to interview or interview you via Skype, and will then make a decision on your application.

The admissions team will be in touch soon after that to let you know the outcome and to guide you through the next steps.

START YOUR APPLICATION NOW

Applications are accepted and offers are made, throughout the year. Early application is advised.

The online application can be saved as you fill it out, so you don’t need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you press submit.

As you progress through the application process we will send you emails with important information, so do check your inbox regularly (and junk folder, just in case).

Entry requirements

The MA Data Visualisation course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds, from all over the world, who have achieved a Hons degree qualification that evidences their aptitude, skill and engagement in the field of graphic design/communication or a related design practice. Applicants from non-traditional backgrounds, as well as those already within employment, are also welcome on the course.

Educational level may be demonstrated by:

Honours degree (named above);

Possession of equivalent qualifications;

Prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required;

Or a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which, taken together, can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required.

Language requirements (International/EU)

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend you let us know your English language test score in your application. If you have booked a test or are awaiting your results, please indicate this in your application. When asked to upload a CV as part of your application, please include any information about your English test score.

IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four skills.

If your first language is not English, you can check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in English on the Language Requirements page.

Selection Criteria

Offers will be made based on the following selection criteria, which applicants are expected to demonstrate:

Sufficient prior knowledge and experience of and/or potential in a specialist subject area to be able to successfully complete the programme of study and have an academic or professional background in a relevant subject

Also to show a willingness to work as a team player, good language skills in reading, writing and speaking, the ability to work independently and be self-motivated

Critical knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject area and capacity for research-led design, intellectual inquiry and reflective thought through: contextual awareness (professional, cultural, social, historical); evidence of research, analysis, development and evaluation (from previous academic study and employment) and a grounded understanding of the world of sonic, visual and networked culture and be able to engage in and contribute to critical discussion

In the project proposal a description of the area of interest, field of study and the particular focus of their intended project. This should include an overview of how you intend to go about producing the project and the methodology

Portfolio should be conceptual and research-based, you must show your thinking and making process and a curious nature to explore, test and experiment

CV

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If English is not your first language it is important that you also include in your CV details of your most recent English language test score.

Personal statement advice

Please say why you are applying for this course, outlining relevant prior experience and your current knowledge and experience of graphic design/communication developments and discussions. Ensure that your personal statement it is well written, clear and free of any spelling mistakes.

It is your chance to impress the course team by showing a strong interest in the subject, demonstrating what you feel you would bring to the course, your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it might help you in the future. This can be demonstrated through work experience, previous studies and your personal experience.

Portfolio and interview advice

Applicants must present a portfolio evidencing their aptitude, skill and engagement in the field of graphic design communication or relative neighbouring practice. Please submit an edited selection of work (10-20 images, 4-5 projects maximum) accompanied by a short caption for each project acknowledging the motivation, development, realisation and impact (one-two sentences maximum).

Please indicate your role and contribution to any collaborative projects included. We welcome developmental work, sketches, tests, process-led experimentation in the portfolio.

If you have links to web projects or media, please note these in your CV.

Applicants are usually interviewed by the course team before a place can be offered. Interviews will take place at LCC, or via Skype/telephone.

Deferrals

Deferring an offer

If you are offered a place for 2018/19 but wish to defer to 2019/20, information on how to do this and who to contact can be found in your offer letter. Additionally, International applicants should pay the deposit in order to defer. In all cases, deferred places will be held for one year.

Making a deferred application (during 2018/19 for entry in 2019/20)

Home/EU applicants are permitted to make a deferred application. International applicants are not permitted to make a deferred application.

What happens next?

Successful applicants will be guided through the rest of our admissions stages and towards enrolment on the course.

Fees and funding

Home / EU fee

ELQ

Home/EU students whose chosen course is at a level equivalent to, or lower than, a qualification that they already hold, would will be charged the fees shown above, plus an additional £1,100 (called the Equivalent or Lower Qualifications (ELQ) fee). Students in receipt of Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) are exempt from ELQ fees and will pay the original fee, regardless of the highest qualification held. For enquiries relating to ELQ fees, please complete the course enquiry form.

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Career paths

Upon completion of the MA Data Visualisation course, graduates will be equipped with a keen critical understanding of the field of data visualisation and will have acquired a diverse set of technical and project management skills represented in a portfolio of data visualisation work.

We expect graduates to have the skills, experience and confidence to address a range of academic or professionally focused problems within this field; drawing on specialist knowledge and experience and a familiarity with related areas such as information design, user experience design and design thinking.

Graduates will have acquired leadership skills, an entrepreneurial mind-set and the ability to tackle complex problems with insight and determination.

Career options include:

Design Consultancy

Exhibition Design

Editorial

Data Journalism

Data Visualisation

Data Science Supervisor

Data Analyst

Self-employment/freelance

Integration of design skills into other disciplinary areas

UAL Jobs and Careers

UAL has a number of services and networks that hold regular workshops and careers fairs developed to help you establish and promote your career in the arts, design, or media. These include:

Careers and Employability are the University's dedicated careers and professional practice service. We help UAL students and graduates embark on their professional futures in the creative industries, find jobs, set up a business, and sell their work. We run events throughout the year on all aspects of the career journey.

Creative Opportunities jobs board helps graduates and students find job and internship opportunities and connect with organisations and companies in the creative sector. We post jobs and paid internships, part-time work, freelance contracts and full-time opportunities.